Things to Do in Jackson

A black-and-white flag hovers above the greens at Mac and Bones Miniature Golf, signifying the rowdy swashbuckling theme of this 18-hole course in a single glance. As waterfalls splash against the caves that flank the course, festive pirate-themed obstacles—from strategically placed treasure chests to captains who force players to polish their hooks before each shot—lure putts away from holes. NBA star Tracy McGrady co-owns the course, along with Tim Bennett, who calls the course layout “very competitive.” In addition to sun-drenched greens, Mac and Bones also invites players into its 8,000-square-foot indoor arena, packed with arcade games, prizes, and a menu of pizza, wings, and beverages.

The state-of-the-art equipment, convenient amenities, and variety of exercise classes at Courthouse Racquet & Fitness's six locations earned the club several of Jackson Free Press's Urban Living awards in 2011 and 2012, including Best Fitness Center/Gym and Best Yoga Instructor. Visit the flagship Lakeland location to swim in a pool of professional athletic proportions. Explore the 13,000-square-foot Madison 51 facility's yoga, spin, and boot-camp classes or the Northeast center's indoor and outdoor tennis courts.

The newest location in Brandon boasts more than 100 treadmills, elliptical machines, rowers, and other pieces of cardio equipment. Women can take advantage of the Downtown site's ladies-only cardio area. Three locations offer childcare, and the Byram facility has launched an afterschool program, where kids can do arts and crafts and engage in healthy physical activities in an environment devoid of teddy-bear drill instructors.

As youngsters, Charles and Talamieka Brice experienced the world through drawing. While his life revolved around comic heroes such as Batman and The Hulk, hers hinged on doodling family members and teachers rather than biting their likenesses out of hunks of cheese. When the pair met in art classes at Jackson State University, what began as a friendly rivalry quickly transformed into a rewarding romantic and artistic partnership. Now married, the award-winning illustrators, photographers, and graphic designers use their talent to craft work for individuals and corporations equally adeptly. They capture striking images of families, kids, and weddings from behind the lens, which they preserve as prints, images burned onto discs, or customized hand-drawn portraits. Their skills extend to pet portraits, watercolor and oil paintings, and sculpture. Additionally, their graphic designs have professionalized the look of corporate brochures, logos, and catalogs.

Boasting credentials such as registered yoga instructor, doctor of health psychology, and licensed counselor, Dr. Kimberly Lichte-Madakasira helps clients conquer physical and emotional tension by combining Eastern and Western healing modalities. The spacious, lilac-toned studio flooded with natural light soothes guests with burnished hardwood floors and a ceiling mural of peaceful, downward-hippopotamus-shaped clouds. Here, students of all experience levels flow through therapeutic yoga classes, such as Yoga for Cancer Recovery, traditional Hatha yoga, and Yoga for Stress. As a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, Kimberly is able to create custom yoga plans designed to help students find relief from specific physical and emotional ailments.

Debi Lewis was overjoyed when yoga began to ease her chronic back pain, but she didn’t expect it to transform her life. Each style of the art that she learned became an ingredient in her signature yoga recipe, a blend of movement and meditation known as Joyflow. Debi and her staff leverage their certifications to teach this creation during basics and alignment classes accessible to students of all skill levels, their focus on form building a foundation as sturdy as Paul Bunyan’s exoskeleton. Strength and flexibility flourish as the yoga experts lead groups through rehearsals of ancient poses and relaxing stretches. Experienced yoga therapists also guide the body through assisted poses and deep-breathing exercises during relaxation and sculpt sessions.

Artist Melanie John's bright, colorful studio and retail shop surrounds visitors with her vibrant watercolor portraits and textured abstract paintings. Paintings, photos, and pottery also line the walls, inviting gazes to linger over aesthetically elegant pieces and check every design for hidden Magic Eye patterns. BYOB art classes help beginners and master palette wielders create their own masterpieces while sipping on toted-along beverages or purchasing tipples from the bar-licensed studio.